A BUDDING chef from Hinckley has proved to be a rising star in the kitchen despite his youth.

At the age of just 12, Mount Grace High School student Scott Cufflin managed to come second in the county in the FutureChef competition after showing that he was the best cook in his school.

He was one of five talented hopefuls, aged between 12 and 16, trying to prove he could be a star of tomorrow’s culinary world.

He was beaten by a 15-year-old girl but judges were clearly impressed with his menu which set their taste buds alight. Salmon served on a bed of potatoes with asparagus and lemon and parsley sauce was his main dish. Scott, from John Street, followed that up with a summer fruit pudding served with chocolate mousse. Both courses were created with a budget of less than £6.

“I just thought I would give it a go but then when I got through to the local final it was really exciting but it was also nerve-racking,” he said.

“I didn’t know how the judges would react but I was really pleased with the result in the end. They were surprised with the skill of someone of my age.”

The event was judged by Chris Baggott from The Woodstock restaurant with Darren Creed from hosts Loughborough College.

The FutureChef initiative is a nationwide programme which helps young people from 12 to 16 cook their way through a series of challenges, providing invaluable lessons and insight into the culinary industry.

The inspiration for Scott’s cooking has been his father, Ryan, but he has received a huge hand from his teacher at Mount Grace, Jo Wilson.

Mrs Wilson said: “The competitors are normally of a very high standard, it’s an open field. I’m really proud that he’d done so well.”

And his mother, Samantha, is pleased because Scott’s enthusiasm in the kitchen has meant that she could put her feet up on Christmas Day while Scott prepared the meal, even making the prawn cocktail sauce.